Personal Background
In the mid ’60s, after hearing God’s call to ministry, Narayan Nair, his wife Savita, and two young children traveled to Australia so he could attend AFCI’s Illawarra Bible College. Narayan, who converted from Hinduism to Christianity, had a longtime dream to establish a similar college in his homeland of Fiji and reach as many people in the South Pacific for Christ. This dream was conceived from a heartfelt desire to train and equip others to spread the Gospel throughout the thousands of South-Pacific islands.
Below are the ministries of AFC-South Pacific which the Lord has used Narayan to start and steward:
Fellowship of Bible Churches
The Bible Church began in Nair’s home in 1972, and at that time, they prayed that God would help plant a church in every town of Fiji. He answered their prayers, and now there is churches in six different towns in Fiji.
“The Lord called us to plant churches among the Hindu communities.” The church’s mission statement is ‘To Love God and worship Him as we reach out and disciple people for Christ.’ Each local church is autonomous and led by Elders.
Fiji Bible College
His dream of a college to train Word/Gospel workers came true in 1974 when the College of Theology and Evangelism Fiji opened (CTEF – Formally ‘The Fiji Bible College’). This fully accredited seminary has grown steadily each year. In the coming year, the college will be celebrating its 50th anniversary; 50 years of the Lord’s faithfulness and goodness to use our efforts for His glory. We are so thrilled that He has granted us the opportunity to serve Him.
With the focus on teaching and equipping saints to spread the gospel throughout the South Pacific, Narayan implemented two strategies to complement the school’s accredited Undergraduate Degree program:
- A Graduate Program, which offers students with a Bachelor degree the opportunity for higher education without leaving the region.
- Correspondence Courses and Off-Campus Programs, which provide flexibility to students unable to live away from home during their studies.
- Other programs, specifically designed to ensure the gospel’s flow to the farthest corners of the region, have been hugely successful as well:
- Pastor Training Seminars and Deeper Life Conferences have been developed to provide support, encouragement, and continuing education to pastors and lay leaders.
- Mass Evangelistic Events are conducted by AFCI and in partnership with other groups like The Billy Graham Association.
- A Literature Department supports the efforts of each evangelist as they work in their specific ministry setting by providing, among other things, translation of Christian media into the many native languages of this region.
- A Library, funded by supporters of AFC.SP, is the most recent addition to CTEF.
Today, Narayan’s original dream has provided training for more than 10,000 men and women in the name of the Lord. The outflow of CTEF students and their commitment to spread the Gospel in their homelands continue to impact large portions of this region.
Fiji Bible College Prayer Requests:
- The staff, their families and the students.
- The graduate program in August.
- The enrolment for next year.
- The government’s recognition of the College.
- The Lord’s provision for our daily needs.
Christian Helps Fiji
“We are God’s workmanship; we are created by Him in Christ Jesus for good works – good works which God prepared for us long ago that they should mark a way of life” (Eph.2:10). Some years ago, the Holy Spirit impressed this important Biblical truth to Mrs. Savita Nair, who began giving most of her earnings to the poor people in Lautoka. After doing this ‘good work’ alone for some time, she challenged the leaders of AFC.SP to get involved in this ministry of help. The Board accepted her challenge and added Christian Helps as another avenue for the Gospel ministry.
Poverty is widespread in Fiji. Thousands of men, women and children are suffering
We are dedicated to demonstrate the love of Christ to the needy citizens of our society by providing food, clothing, monetary assistance, education and the everlasting gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Mid 2023, we received an email from Barnabas International, they wonderful donation of 2 large crates of dry food,
We are a Charitable Organisation which was established in the year 1990. Our policy is to give 100% of the donations received towards helping the needy and poor solely. No administration expenses will be taken out of the donations, ever.
‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’
Gospel Retreat Centre
Youth and children’s camps have been part of our ministry since 1976. However, we have been using hired facilities, and sometimes they were unavailable when needed. So we began praying for a section of land to build a place of our own.
In 2016 we decided to build on our freehold property on Johnson Road, Drasa. When we decided to build, the Lord through the kindness and generosity of donations of our ministry partners provided the total cost, the kindness of As a result, the camp was ready in 2019.
It is used for children and youth camps, Easter Convention, Leadership training, and Gospel outreach. The primary purpose for its existence is to preach and teach the Gospel and disciple people.
AFC Bookshop & Café
A Need for Christian Literature in the South Pacific… The bookshop was started at the very beginning of our ministry in Fiji. There was a great need for Bible’s and good Evangelical literature. We started it as a ministry, not to make money. The cafe was started in November 2020 to pay for the expenses.
Ambassadors Institute of Vocational Training
We have established the Ambassadors Institute of Vocational Training to provide free tuition to underprivileged students so that once they gain the skills, they could use it to help provide for their families. The graduates receive some tools as gifts which they can use in their farms. During their time with us, students learn the practical skills they need but we also have time to teach them scripture and biblical studies with the hopes that God would use His word to draw these students to himself.
Narayan Nair, AFCI’s National Director of AFC-South Pacific, also leads a large team of dedicated Nationals in Ministry throughout this region. Many of these are former students who share his vision to change all the South Pacific for Christ.
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim 2:2
Website: www.afcfiji.com
Prayer Alerts: July 2023
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